A lot of people prefer to 'emerge vim' which is compatible with vi but more capable.

Note that the ebuild does not create a symlink for vi. If you can unlearn your habits of a dozens years and key vim xxxx
instead of vi xxx, curses, then vim xxx, fine. Otherwise you can add a symlink to /usr/local/bin._________________Collins Richey - Denver Area
gentoo 1.4_rc2 - xfce